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Raising a new Generation of Leaders

Slab design

Dr Oluwarotimi Olofinnade MNSE, Rg. Engr

Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Covenant University
 Design of RC slab
• Slab can be defined as a “flat and plate-like element” which carries its
load primarily by flexure. Reinforced concrete slabs are used to form a
variety of elements in building structures such as floors, roofs, staircases,
foundations and some types of walls
• Slabs are usually conceived as a series of shallow and very wide
rectangular beams placed side by side and connected transversely in
such a way that it is possible to share loads between adjacent beams.
• On the basis of this model, the design of slab is similar, in principle, to
that of beams. However, in slab design, the serviceability limit state of
deflection is normally critical, rather than the ultimate limit states of
bending and shear.

• There are numbers of ways by which slabs are classified. However, in the
design of slab in reinforced concrete, it usual to distinguish slab on the
basis of spanning action, that is either 1-way span or 2-way span.
• In the 2-way spanning slab, 2-way structural action results.
 Design of slab
Loadings:
• Dead load (GK); which include slab own weight, partition load or partition allowance, and weight of
finishes
• Imposed load(Qk): due to the occupation to which the slab will be subjected (BS6399:Part 1:1984 deals
with the design loading for buildings)

A typical load assemblage for a residential building is as follows:

Uniformly distributed load
Concrete slab own weight – 0.15 x 24 = 3.60 kN/m2
finishes, = 1.20 kN/m2
Partition allowance say = 1.00 kN/m2
Total Gk = 5.80kN/m2
Imposed or Live load Qk = 1.50 kN/m2

Design load at Ultimate limit state F = 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk

= 1.4(5.80) + 1.6(1.50) = 10.52 kN/m per m run
Design of slab
• This is the first step in the design of slab. However, when the slab cantilevers out,
point loads due to the walls and roofs are calculated. And this will be used along
with the uniformly distributed load to determine the cantilever moment.
• Assuming the external wall constituting the “point loads” support a roof area of
2.5m per m run and taking the ultimate dead and live loads of roof as 2.25 kN/m2
and wall load and finishes as 3.47 kN/m per m high we have

Wall load 3.0(height) x 3.47 x 1.40 = 14.57 kN/m

Roof load 2.25 x 2.50 (width) = 5.63 kN/m

Total point load = 20.20 kN/m

Then;
i. Calculate the imposed bending moment
ii. Estimate the effective depth from: effective depth = overall depth –
cover – 1/2bar size
𝑀
iii. Calculate the K-value from: 𝑘 = 2 < 0.156 and
𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝑏𝑑
𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑚 𝑧 = 𝑑(0.5 + 0.25 − 𝑘 0.9)
𝑀
iv. Calculate the area of steel from; 𝐴𝑠 = mm2
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧𝑑
v. Calculate distribution bars and choose appropriate reinforcement from
the steel table
2 𝐴𝑠𝑟𝑒𝑞
vi. Check for deflection from 𝑓𝑠 = 3 . 𝑓𝑦 and
𝐴𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣
(477−𝑓𝑠)
M. F. = 0.5 + 𝑀 ≤ 2.0
120(0.90+ 2 )
𝑏𝑑
Vii Re-design if deflection is inadequate by increasing the depth of slab
Question: Design the cantilever slab below using a 20 – 300 concrete.
20 kN
10.5 kN/m

1.20m

Design load F =1.4gk + 1.6qk = 10.5KN/m (udl) and 20KN for the point load
𝑤𝑙 2
Moment (M) = + PL = 10.5 × 0.5 × 1.22 + 20 × 1.2 = 31.6 𝑘𝑁𝑚
2
𝑀
𝑘= = 0.103, 𝑧 = 𝑑(0.5 + 0.25 − 𝑘 0.9) = 0.87d
𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝑏𝑑 2
𝑀
𝐴𝑠 = = 1027 mm2/m Prov. Y16@175mm c/c Top (1150mm2)
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧𝑑
Check: table 3.9/ table 3.11 - basic span/effective depth ratio = 7
100𝐴𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣
Deflection: 𝑏𝑑 = 0.93% M. F. = 1.25

1200
𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑞 = =137mm deflection is not satisfied (either increase reinforcement area or slab thickness)
7×1.25
Two–way Spanning Slabs
• A 2– way spanning slab is a slab with the main reinforcements in both
directions. The reinforcements parallel to the shorter dimensions are
designed first and acts as the main reinforcement while the reinforcements
parallel to the longer side are designed and distributes onto the shorter
side reinforcements.
• It is recommended that none of the reinforcement sizes should be less than
12 mm in diameter; except the distribution bars.

A slab is designed in both directions generally when;

i. The longer side exceeds 4.5 m in domestic buildings,
ii. The slab is heavily loaded; and the shorter span exceeds 4.0 m
iii. When it is more economical to design the slab in two directions
iv. When deflection may be excessive, if the slab is designed in one
direction
Two – way Spanning Slab

• Analysis of two – way spanning slab is governed by section 3.5.3 of

BS 8110: Part 1: 1997.
There are basically two types of two – way spanning slab;
• Types 1 are those without restraints at the edges. A typical example
of this is a slab placed on top of block walls without any form of
restraint by the walls
• Type 2 are those with restraints at the edges. Beams at the edges
provide the restraints.
 Two – way Spanning Slab

In both types, the general equation for moment is

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝛽𝜔𝑙 2
• Where 𝛽 is a coefficient obtainable from the appropriate table
• 𝜔 is the uniformly distributed load, and
• 𝑙 the shorter span of the slab
Once the above is obtained, the slab can be designed as an ordinary
solid slab.
Values of 𝛽 are as shown in tables 3.13 and 3.14 of the code.
Type 1 – Simply Supported Slabs

• When the slab does not have adequate provision to resist torsion
at the corners, and to prevent the corners from lifting, the
maximum moments per unit width are given by the code as;
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛼𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 10

𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛼𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 11

The values for 𝛼𝑠𝑥 and 𝛼𝑠𝑦 are given in table 3.13 of the code, and can also be obtained from
𝑘4
𝛼𝑠𝑥 = ,
8(1+𝑘 4 )
𝑙𝑦
where 𝑘 = 𝑙𝑥
𝑘2
𝛼𝑠𝑦 =
8(1 + 𝑘 4 )
Simply Supported Slabs

the design procedure of this type of slab is as follows;

• Determine the ultimate design load; 𝑛 = 1.4𝐺𝑘 + 1.6𝑄𝑘
𝑙𝑦
• Determine the value of 𝑘 = 𝑙𝑥
• Calculate 𝛼𝑠𝑥 and 𝛼𝑠𝑦 or obtained same from table 3.13
• Calculate moments and design for the necessary reinforcement
• Check for deflection, crack
Example

• A two – way spanning slab of 4.50 m by 6.50 m is used as a

roof over a car port. Design the slab using 25 – 410 concrete.
Solution
Try 150 mm
Loading ; self weight = 3.60 kN/m2
finishes and felting = 2.00 “
total (Gk) = 5.60kN/m2
live load, say = 0.25 kN/m2
stagnant water, say 150 mm = 1.5 kN/m2

total (Qk) =1.75 kN/m2

example
Design load (n) = 1.4 (5.6) + 1.6 (1.75) = 10.64kN/m per m run

𝑙𝑦 6500
now, 𝑘= 𝑙𝑥 = 4500 = 1.444
Therefore 𝛼𝑠𝑥 = 0.102, and 𝛼𝑠𝑦 = 0.049
Short Span;
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛼𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 = 0.102× 10.64 × 4.52 = 21.977kNm
h = 150mm, d = 150 – 40 – 6 = 104mm (moderate exposure)
k = 0.081 Z = 0.90 AS = 602mm2
(Prov. Y12@150mm c/c Btm (754mm2)
Ex

Long span
𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛼𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 = 0.049× 10.64 × 4.52 = 10.577kNm
d = 104 - 12 = 92mm
k = 0.050 Z = 0.94 AS = 314mm2
(Prov. Y12@250mm c/c Near Btm (450mm2)
Deflection (shorter span)
fs = 218, M.F. = 1.58, dreq = 4500/20 x 1.58 = 142mm
Hence, deflection is not adequate since the dprov. = 104mm.
Therefore increase depth to 175mm and re-design.
Type 2 – Restrained Slabs
When provisions are made for the slab to prevent lifting and torsion can be
resisted at the corners, the slab is designed using the formula given in BS
8110: Part 1: 1997, as
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 14 (short span)

𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 15 (long span)

The values of 𝛽𝑠𝑥 and 𝛽𝑠𝑦 are as obtained in table 3.14 of the code. For
continuous slab, the above equations are useful if
• The slab loading are relatively equal,
• The span of adjacent slab in the direction of spanning are relatively equal.
Type 2 – Restrained slab
The procedure for the design is as follows;
i. Determine the ultimate load 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk
𝑙𝑦
ii. Determine the 𝑙𝑥 ratio
iii. Determine the appropriate case into which the panels falls into from;
case 1: interior panel that is; the slab is continuous overall the
sides
case 2: the slab is continuous over three supports with only one
short edge discontinuous
case 3: as for case 2 but one long edge discontinuous
case 4: this is a corner panel where two adjacent edges (one
long and one short sides) are discontinuous
Type 2

case 5: in this case the panel is continuous over two long

edges
case 6: as for case 5 but continuous over two short edges
case 7: the slab is continuous only over one long edge. The
other three edges are discontinuous
case 8: as for case 7 but continuous over one short edge
case 9: this is exterior panel, that is , the slab is
discontinuous over all the edges. This is similar to simply
supported slab except that provision is made at the edges to
resist torsion.
 Type 2

iv obtain the appropriate moment coefficients from table 3.14 of the

code
v calculate for the various moments from
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 14 (short span)

𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 eqn 15 (long span)

vi determine the area of reinforcements required and

vii check for deflection and crack using the shorter span.
viii detail
Example: Design of a two-way spanning restrained slab (BS 8110)
The figure below shows a part plan of an office floor supported by
monolithic concrete beams (not detailed), with individual slab panels
continuous over two or more supports. The floor is to be designed to
support an imposed load of 4 kN/m2 and finishes plus ceiling loads of
1.25 kN/m2. The characteristic strength of the concrete is 30 N/mm2 and
the steel reinforcement is 500 N/mm2. The cover to steel reinforcement is
25 mm.
(a) Calculate the mid-span moments for panels AB2/3 and BC1/2
assuming the thickness of the floor is 180 mm.
(b) Design the steel reinforcement for panel BC2/3 (shown hatched) and
check the adequacy of the slab in terms of shear resistance and
deflection. Illustrate the reinforcement details on plan and elevation
views of the panel.
Example
Example
(a) MID-SPAN MOMENTS
• Loading
Total dead load, gk
= finishes etc. + self-weight of slab = 1.25 + 0.180 × 24
= 5.57 kN/m2
Imposed load, qk = 4 kN/m2

Design load, n = 1.4gk + 1.6qk

= 1.4 × 5.57 + 1.6 × 4 = 14.2 kN/m2
Example
• PANEL AB2/3
By inspection, panel AB2/3 has a discontinuous long edge.
Also ly/lx = 7/5 = 1.4 and from Table 3.14 (BS8110),
• short span coefficient for mid-span moment, βsx = 0.051
• long span coefficient for mid-span moment, βsy = 0.028
Hence mid-span moment in the short span,
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 = 0.051 × 14.2 × 5 ×5 = 18.1 kNm
and mid-span moment in the long span,
𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2 x = 0.028 × 14.2 × 5 ×5 = 9.9 kNm
Example
• PANEL BC1/2
By inspection, panel BC1/2 has 2 adjacent discontinuous edges.
Also ly/lx = 7/3.75 = 1.87 and from Table 3.14 (BS8110),
• short span coefficient for mid-span moment, βsx = 0.0675
• long span coefficient for mid-span moment, βsy = 0.034
Hence mid-span moment in the short span,
2
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 = 0.0675 × 14.2 × 3.75 ×3.75 = 13.5 kNm
and mid-span moment in the long span,
2
𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 x = 0.034 × 14.2 × 3.75 ×3.75 = 6.8 kNm
Example
(b) PANEL BC2/3
By inspection, panel BC2/3 is an interior panel. ly/lx = 7/5 = 1.4
From Table 3.14,
• short span coefficient for negative (i.e. hogging) moment at
continuous edge, βsx = 0.05
• short span coefficient for positive (i.e. sagging) moment at mid-
span, βsx = 0.037
• long span coefficient for negative moment at continuous edge,
βsy = 0.032 and
• long span coefficient for positive moment at mid-span,
βsy = 0.024
Example
• Hence negative moment at continuous edge in the short span,
2
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥
= 0.050 × 14.2 × 5 × 5 = 17.8 kNm;
Positive moment at mid-span in the short span,
𝑚𝑠𝑥 = 𝛽𝑠𝑥 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2
= 0.037 × 14.2 × 5 × 5 = 13.1 kNm;
Also, negative moment at continuous edge in the long span,
𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥 2
= 0.032 × 14.2 × 5 × 5 = 11.4 kNm;
and positive
2
moment at mid-span in the long span,
𝑚𝑠𝑦 = 𝛽𝑠𝑦 𝑛𝑙𝑥
= 0.024 × 14.2 × 5 × 5 = 8.5 kNm.
 Example
• Steel reinforcement
Continuous supports
At continuous supports the slab resists hogging moments in both the
short-span and long-span directions. Therefore two layers of
reinforcement will be needed in the top face of the slab. Comparison of
design moments shows that the moment in the short span (17.8 kNm) is
greater than the moment in the long span (11.4 kNm) and it is appropriate
therefore that the steel in the short span direction (i.e. main steel) be
placed at a greater effective depth than the steel in the long-span
direction (i.e. secondary steel) as shown.
 Example
• Assume diameter of main steel, φ = 10 mm and nominal cover, c = 25 mm. Hence,
Effective depth of main steel, d = h − φ/2 − c = 180 −10/2 − 25 = 150 mm
• Assume diameter of secondary steel, φ′ = 10 mm. Hence,
Effective depth of secondary steel, d′ = h − φ − φ′/2 − c = 180 − 10 −10/2 − 25 = 140 mm
Main reinforcement steel
𝑚𝑠𝑥 17.8 ×106
𝑘= = =0.0264
𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝑏𝑑 2 30×103 ×1502

𝑧 = 𝑑(0.5 + (0.25 − 𝑘 0.9) ≤ 0.95𝑑 0.95 × 150 = 142.5𝑚𝑚

150(0.5 + (0.25 − 0.0264 0.9) = 146mm
𝑚𝑠𝑥 17.8 ×106
𝐴𝑆 = = =262𝑚𝑚2 /m
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧 0.95×500×0.95×150
𝐴𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 =0.13%bh = 234𝑚𝑚2 /m

Provide Y10@250c/c (As = 314𝑚𝑚2 /m) in short span direction

 Example
• Secondary steel reinforcement
𝑚𝑠𝑦 11.4 ×106
𝑘= = =0.0194
𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝑏𝑑 2 30×103 ×1402

𝑧 = 𝑑(0.5 + (0.25 − 𝑘 0.9) ≤ 0.95𝑑 0.95 × 140 = 133𝑚𝑚

150(0.5 + (0.25 − 0.0194 0.9) = 137mm
𝑚𝑠𝑦 11.4 ×106
𝐴𝑆 = = = 180𝑚𝑚2 /m
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧 0.95×500×0.95×140
𝐴𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 =0.13%bh = 234𝑚𝑚2 /m

Provide Y10@300c/c (As = 262𝑚𝑚2 /m) in long span direction

Example
• Midspan
At mid-span the slab resists sagging moments in both the short-span and long-
span directions, necessitating two layers of reinforcement in the bottom face of
the slab too. Comparison of mid-span moments shows that the moment in the
short span (13.1 kNm) is greater than the moment in the long span (8.5 kNm) and
it is again appropriate therefore that the steel in the short span direction (main
steel) be placed at a greater effective depth than the steel in the long span
direction (secondary steel) as shown.
example
• Following the previous steps;
𝑚𝑠𝑥 13.1 ×106
𝐴𝑆 = = = 193𝑚𝑚2 /m
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧 0.95×500×0.95×150
• 𝐴𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 =0.13%bh = 234𝑚𝑚2 /m
Provide Y10@300c/c (As = 262𝑚𝑚2 /m) in short span direction

𝑚𝑠𝑦 8.5 ×106

𝐴𝑆 = = = 134𝑚𝑚2 /m
0.95𝑓𝑦 𝑧 0.95×500×0.95×140
• 𝐴𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 =0.13%bh = 234𝑚𝑚2 /m
Provide Y10@300c/c (As = 262𝑚𝑚2 /m) in long span direction
Example
Deflection
For two-way spanning slabs, the deflection check is satisfied
provided the span/effective depth ratio in the shorter span does not
exceed the appropriate value in Table 3.9 multiplied by the
modification factor obtained via equations 7 and 8 of Table 3.10
5000
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ = = 33.3
150
5 𝐴𝑠𝑟𝑒𝑞 5 193
𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑓𝑠 = × 𝑓𝑦 × = × 500 × = 230N/mm2
8 𝐴𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣 8 262
477−𝑓𝑠
Modification factor, m.f = 0.55 + 𝑚 = 1.81
120 0.9+ 2
𝑏𝑑

Allowable span/effective depth = 26 x 1.81 = 47 > 33 (actual) ok

Example
Crack
Minimum spacing must not exceed 3d; i.e. 3(150) = 450mm